• Universal machine-to-machine communication required
• Vibratory plate compactors are able to collaborate
• Robot dogs for construction inspection

Hexagon’s Mining division announced that it has introduced HxGN MinePlan GeoSlate, a mobile, geological drillhole logging application that simplifies the field data collection process.

• Large contract includes process automation, power management and electrical distribution for the lithium-boron processing facility
• Deal marks a significant step in the the development of ioneer’s Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Project in Nevada,
• ABB will utilize its ABB Ability MineOptimize approach towards integrated solutions to drive optimization and digital transformation of mining from the outset

• Global technology company ABB has updated ABB Ability Predictive Maintenance for grinding, moving it to a cloud-based platform enabling new features including additional trend monitoring and analytics
• New Grinding Connect app allows mine operators to check gearless mill drive performance from anywhere via smartphone or tablet
• ABB Ability Predictive Maintenance helps extend asset lifetime and avoid unforeseen downtime

Fugro confirms the Australian Space Automation, Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Control Complex (SpAARC) will be located in the heart of downtown Perth’s central business district (CBD). Housed in Western Australia’s (WA’s) largest telecommunications exchange, and thanks to an ongoing partnership with Telstra, Fugro’s world-class facility will manage robotics and remote operations in Australia, around the world and in space. SpAARC will support the translation of terrestrial capabilities into space, while also providing innovative remote solutions here on earth.

Epiroc, a leading productivity and sustainability partner for the mining and infrastructure industries, has acquired the remaining share of Mobilaris MCE AB, a Sweden-based company that provides advanced situational awareness solutions that optimize operations in mining and civil engineering.

Shaping the future of transportation by combining traditional engineering with innovative digital technologies to deliver sustainable solutions.

• bauma exhibitors see the safety and hygiene concept for themselves at IAA Mobility
• Conclusion: Trade fairs can also take place under coronavirus conditions
• Industry continues to see bauma as THE platform
• bauma 2022 focusing on current challenges with five trend topics

Bechtel partnership extended after supporting a huge ramp up in CityFibre’s UK-wide Full Fibre rollout in the last 12 months

DSI Underground SMART, a wholly owned subsidiary of DSI Underground completed the acquisition of the virtual reality training specialist Edvirt. The acquisition boosts
DSI Underground’s investment in innovation to drive efficiency and safety across mining and tunneling operations forward.

MMC Norilsk Nickel, headed by Vladimir Potanin, is pursuing its ambitious programme aimed at the modernization and automation of production facilities. As part of that plan, the Company’s Polar Division has received a new batch of equipment to improve the efficiency of operations, and autonomous vehicle devices have reached the second stage of testing at the Severny mine at Kola MMC. 

Under the equipment renovation programme, the enterprises of the Polar Division received 25 units of mobile equipment for various purposes in 2020. The total value of the equipment delivered amounts to around $8mln (RUR 600mln). One of the main points of the programme was the purchase of new equipment for the local motor transport association.

Orica and Epiroc Rock Drills AB have successfully co-developed a prototype of the world’s first semi-automated explosives delivery system.

Customers in the underground mining industry can look forward to safer, efficient and more productive development blasting as early as the end of 2021, as Orica and Epiroc commence commissioning on Avatel™, the first-of-its-kind, industry-driven explosives delivery system in coming weeks.

- BEUMER Group develops digital product for enhanced customer service: the BEUMER Smart Glasses

Machine malfunctions and standstills that are not eliminated as fast as possible may become expensive for manufacturing companies. BEUMER Group developed the BEUMER Smart Glasses as a pioneering product that supports users quickly and easily. The BEUMER Customer Support technicians use them to take a virtual look over the shoulder of the customer's service technician to solve the problem together. This digital solution reduces travel times and costs.

Mirko Liebetrau took the opportunity of making the visitors of the Hannover Messe #DigitalDays aware not to miss the chances of digitalization!

Fielddata.io GmbH, leading provider of construction data management platforms from Munich has found a competent partner in Casagrande S.p.A., manufacturer of equipment and tools for special foundation engineering from Fontanafredda, Italy. In the future the digitalization of construction processes in special foundation engineering will be a collaborative venture.

Mining Innovation traditionally starts at an APCOM conference. This year the 39th conference for „Applications of Computers and Operations Research in the Mineral Industry“ is performed from June 03-07 2019 in Wroclaw/Poland:

• World premiere – the digital generation of the ProViu 360 camera system increases driver comfort and safety in construction and mining vehicles
• Displays for every need – bright, rugged and in three different sizes
• The modular driver’s workplace (mDWP) gives drivers the right information at exactly the right time

Now, the preliminary technical program of the APCOM 2019 conference in Wroclaw (Poland) has been published and is available for download. It is a great compilation of highest quality peer reviewed papers on „digital transformation“ topics from all aspects of mining from resource estimation to mine operation and safety:

Geostatistics and Resource estimation

An entire three day conference stream provides more than 20 leading edge and peer reviewed papers by world class practicioners from leading mining companies and by world leading research institutes!

Mine Planning

About 15 papers on newest IT supported techniques in mine planning, uncertainty reduction, geomechanics, modelling, simulation and most recent software technology.

Scheduling and Dispatch

Around 15 papers address long and short term scheduling optimization, the application of neural networks and genetic algorithms as well as risk mitigation and related software systems. A keynote talk covers the impact of IoT, Big Data and gamification on fleet scheduling topics.

Mine Operation in Digital Transformation

More than 20 papers in this stream cover mining equipment related topics in the area of LHD transport, drilling and longwall operation as well as underground communications and new digital technologies in mine safety as well as product quality optimization.

Emerging Technologies and Robotics in Mining

A number of sessions with close to 10 papers cover the use of Unmanned Arial Vehicles in mining, the benefits of upcoming technology in robotics, mechatronics and communications as well as about the changes in machine design through digital transformation. Also a completely new transport system is presented in this stream.

Synergies from other Industries

A plenary speech from an active airline captain talks about the impact of human-machine interfaces on decision making of automated equipment and in control centers. Other papers are on the transferability of Building Information Modelling (BIM) from commercial construction to mining.

The conference takes place at the modern convention center of the Wroclaw University of Technology and is accompanied by an exhibition. An interesting social program, a conference dinner with world class entertainment and partner activities are available as well as interesting field trips on June 07th. A post conference hike in the Karkonosze mountains is offered from June 08-10 with overnight stays in two microbreweries on the ridge is a relaxing finish to the technical discussions of the week.

All presentations are to be held in English. Simultaneous translation to Polish is provided if requested by a sufficient number of participants.

Early Bird registration is open until April 01 2019.

More information: here

Source: Dr. Christoph Mueller

The Gazprom Board of Directors took note of the information about the ongoing implementation of advanced digital technologies within the Gazprom Group.

• Above-average willingness to invest and positive mood
• Shortage of skilled workers is the biggest challenge
• Digitization with room for improvement